In this case, there was no movement or campaign against it, it was pure apathy. A vote to grant them a variance has been on the agenda for nearly 3 years now waiting for them to get around to it. Most people agree that this should happen as soon as they find the time ("staff", ie the council's lawyer needs to study the insurance implications etc). Meanwhile another winter is coming. They'll open it back up as soon as they're sure they can do it "right".